Zhulan found it difficult to get up, so Zhou Shuren helped her sit up. “It’s an invitation from the family of the Maritime Affairs Office Dàrén.”

Zhou Shuren pursed his lips, displeased. “You’re over nine months pregnant, and they didn’t know?”

Trying to provoke him at a time like this, very well.

Zhulan smiled. “They know, so it’s not an invitation; it’s a visiting card.”

Zhou Shuren gave a cold laugh. “Like a weasel bringing New Year greetings with ulterior motives—they must have heard the news from the capital and gotten anxious.”

The Yòu Shìláng was not only the mole whom the Emperor had identified; he also hoped that, through this matter, he could quickly get a clear understanding of the tax system. Based on his understanding of the Emperor, His Majesty did not want to move against these people yet.

Zhulan was puzzled. “What news from the capital?”

Zhou Shuren replied, “The Yòu Shìláng ‘s property has been confiscated.”

Zhulan was speechless.

So, she wouldn’t be able to have any peace from now on. Zhulan couldn’t help but touch her belly. Fortunately, she was about to give birth; she didn’t need to see guests during her postpartum period, so she should be able to avoid it, right?

Zhou Shuren thought, “Why don’t you come up with a reason to refuse?”

Zhulan replied, “I’ve already agreed; it wouldn’t be good to go back on my word now. Don’t worry, it’s just a meeting tomorrow; nothing will happen. I’ll also see what methods they have.”

Zhou Shuren fell silent. Zhulan would have to meet sooner or later; these people wouldn’t give up until they got what they wanted. Besides, it would be difficult to refuse a second time if he refused the first time, so it was better to meet directly. “If you’re not feeling well, see them out.”

“Understood.”

The food was served, and Zhou Shuren helped Zhulan to eat.

Now, the Zhou family ate separately. The Zhou family hadn’t hired any more servants. Since the mansion already had some servants, Zhulan selected the best cooks and sent them to the kitchen. Eating separately meant the kitchen could keep busy.

Each room had a fixed daily food allowance. They could order whatever they wanted and pay extra if it exceeded that.

Zhou Shuren was most satisfied with eating separately; finally, he could eat at the same table as Zhulan.

After the meal, Song Momo arrived, as was her daily routine. Zhulan asked the child, “How is the child today?”

Song Momo replied, “Third Miss drank milk one more time than yesterday, and her limbs have a little more strength.”

Zhulan smiled. “That’s good.”

She hadn’t even let Zhou Shuren name the child; call her superstitious if you will, she genuinely hoped the child would grow up safely.

Zhulan then asked, “How is the Second Madam?”

Song Momo didn’t hide anything, saying, “The Second Madam has come to her senses.” Today, she didn’t need many servants to take care of the young lady; she did it all herself.”

Zhulan breathed a sigh of relief. That was good; she was afraid Zhao Shi would resent the child. “You can go back now. Come back in a few days.”

Song Momo replied, “Yes.”

Zhulan’s question about Zhao Shi reminded her of Fang Shi. Fang Shi had thought the Zhou family would stay in Lizhou City for many years. Knowing the Zhou family was leaving, Fang Shi had considered following them but ultimately gave up the idea because of Qian Keqi.

Qian Keqi was doing well at the academy. He liked the environment there, and the teachers were good. Fang Shi only mentioned it to Zhao Shi before the Zhou family left but didn’t dare to say it to her directly.

The next morning, Zhou Shuren gave Zhulan some final instructions before leaving, still worried.

Not long after Zhou Shuren left, the wife of the Maritime Affairs Office Dàrén, Madam Liu, arrived. Madam Liu had not come alone; she had brought her two daughters with her.

After sitting down, Madam Liu said, “I heard you’re forty this year, but you don’t look that old.”

Zhulan smiled. “How old does Madam Liu think I am?”

Madam Liu’s hand, holding the teacup, paused. She was deliberately trying to be friendly, but Lady Yang rejected her advances. Was this also Zhou Daren’s intention?

She had come prepared, knowing quite a bit about Yang Shi and aware that Yang Shi was no pushover. Madam Liu didn’t expect to become close with her overnight. “I think you’re only thirty-five, sister. We can’t compare. I’m only four years older than you, and even with careful maintenance, I’m still not as young as I thought!”

Zhulan’s skin had indeed improved considerably, and the wrinkles around her eyes had lessened, all due to the weight gain from pregnancy. “Liu Shuren is joking. I think Shuren looks younger, about the same age as me!”

Madam Liu laughed heartily. “I love hearing that, sister.”

Zhulan thought to herself that she could flatter too. Back then, cough cough, she’d flattered many people. Zhulan watched Madam Liu laugh, her hairpin trembling, and thought to herself, the Maritime Affairs Commissioner’s family really had money. Not to mention the jewelry on Madam Liu’s head, the jade bracelet on her wrist was a rare treasure. And looking at the fabric of her clothes, she must have made a fortune these past two years.

Zhulan looked at the two girls; both were pretty, but their jewelry was dazzling.

Seeing Yang Shi looking at her two daughters, Liu Shi was delighted and said with a smile, “Look at me, I’m so happy to see you that I forgot to introduce them! This is my third daughter, Min Ying; she’s sixteen this year, and this is my youngest daughter, Min Yu; she’s ten.”

Zhulan was also familiar with the Hai family’s situation, all thanks to information collected by Zhou Shuren. She would memorize it in her spare time, and just thinking about it made her lips twitch. Each family had quite a few people, many concubines, many Shu children, and grandchildren—it took Zhulan a long time to memorize it all.

The head wife of the Hai family, Madam Liu, was remarkable. Unlike some head wives who disliked their shu children, she raised them all by her side and even registered the shu daughters under her name. Madam Liu didn’t register the shu sons, but she still educated them diligently.

Madam Liu only had one daughter, Min Yu, and three children registered under her name. Two were married off, leaving only Min Ying.

Zhulan suddenly realized why Madam Liu had come—not to gather information, but to arrange a marriage. She didn’t believe Madam Liu intended to marry her youngest daughter to Chang Zhi. The Min family didn’t even consider Chang Zhi worthy of their attention; perhaps she was preparing him for a Huangzi, betting on him to become a future concubine. So, it was sixteen-year-old Min Ying.

Putting aside family background, Zhulan disliked Min Ying herself; she seemed to have been brainwashed since childhood.

Zhulan smiled and said, “The young lady from the Hai family truly lives up to her reputation.”

Madam Liu was pleased. The daughters she had raised were all refined young ladies from respectable families. She was not foolish; it would have been enough to provide a dowry for a daughter, but she had never intended to raise them poorly. Instead, she had devoted herself to cultivating them so that, in the future, they could form advantageous marital alliances for the Min family, gaining more influential in-laws—which would also benefit her son. Madam Liu curled her lips into a smile. “Younger sister likes them too?”

Zhulan thought to herself, “No thanks if I don’t like her. I’d rather Changzhi find a tyrant.” She smiled and said, “You flatter me, Madam Liu.”

Madam Liu’s smile froze. A smart person would understand the implication immediately. She had only been testing the waters, and Madam Yang had already given her the answer. Madam Liu glanced at the two girls behind Madam Yang. She knew the Zhou family’s young lady; she was a good match for her second son, but unfortunately, she was already engaged. They had been engaged for many years and were childhood sweethearts with feelings for each other. Even if she wanted to arrange a marriage, she wouldn’t use her son. She felt a pang of regret.

As for the other girl, she wouldn’t have even glanced at her if she hadn’t come to the Zhou residence. Her reputation was bad, and her family background was far inferior.

Zhulan disliked how Madam Liu looked at her daughter and Wu Ning like merchandise. Madam Liu was polite to her because of Zhou Shuren, but she wouldn’t be polite to Wu Ning. Her critical eyes and disdainful gaze made Zhulan see Wu Ning’s face turn pale out of the corner of her eye.

Zhulan cried out, startling Xue Han, who quickly asked, “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Zhulan touched her stomach. She wasn’t faking it; she really did want to get rid of Madam Liu, but she hadn’t intended to use her belly to hide it. “I…I think I’m going into labor.”

(End of Chapter)

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